How Is Keratoconus Treated with Laser and Collagen Cross-Linking?

Keratoconus is a progressive condition leading to abnormal bulging of the cornea with resultant increase in astigmatism and decreasing vision. Epithelium-off corneal collagen cross-linking is the only available method for arresting the progressive deterioration of keratoconus. Laser eye surgery by itself is not possible in people with keratoconus because laser surgery removes corneal tissue and thins the cornea, resulting in further weakening and potentially exacerbating the keratoconus. However, keratoconus is essentially a shape problem of the cornea and for some years OCL Vision has been using limited excimer laser surgery to remove the epithelium whilst reshaping the underlying bulge of the keratoconus at the time of collagen cross-linking. This typically gives patients better post-operative vision than cross-linking alone with both glasses and contact lenses . This laser treatment is called PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy).

Recently published evidence in the journal Cornea shows significant improvement in overall vision with PTK laser surgery combined with corneal collagen crosslinking for keratoconus at 1 year after treatment. This evidence further supports this strategy over cross-linking alone (the full abstract of this article appears below). People considering cross-linking for keratoconus should discuss this option with their surgeon.

Keratoconus treatment with laser and collagen cross linking

Mr Allon Barsam

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Keratoconus treatment with laser and collagen cross linking

Mr Allon Barsam

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